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I keep on getting annoying popup ads and also a completely new browser opens. This happens when I either type in new URLs or click on links.
I have ran SpyBot and ad-adware to noa avail. I have also got AVG installed but it has found nothing. Even while I am posting this I keep on getting interrupted!
I have followed your instructions before posting and here is my HijackThis log result.
I use Apache server and MySql for my web design pages - so as not to
confuse. Also I do not want IE Service Pack 2.

Hi Shaba.
First let me aplogise for the delay in replying to you. I had to go to work yesterday morning and when I got home I was asked to go back to cover for someone.
Anyway, last night I followed your instructions exactly. Windows gave an error when trying to install SP1a ( giving error number 0x8024D00C ), but also with instructions as to resolving it. This I did and ( not sure what I had done! ), it began installing a tremendous amount of upgrades taking around 45 mins to complete. Then it re-booted the PC and I noticed a considerable increase in speed. However, the original problem still persisted. So I ran a FULL scan firstly with AVG which found 2 Trojan-Collect problems ( which it had'nt done before ). I then ran Spybot and it too now found a few minor things but a critical one called Smitfraud-C.Toolbar888 ( it had not found these before! ). And then to put the iceing on the cake I ran good old Ad-Aware SE Personal and lo & behold, it too found 3 critical problems.

The original problem appears now to have GONE AWAY. However, I am still concerned about the SP1a error and cannot tell for sure what Windows has actually done, so I post you a latest Hijackthis.log for your convenience.

But please remember that the original problem has gone away and I can see a definate increase in speed etc.
Please may I express my total gratitude to you for your precious time and the efforts you go to in order to help other people. What would we do without you guys? Thank you so much

I have tried to install SP1a again but at the end I got an alert box saying 'Access Denied' and had to let windows replace what it had tried to do.
I then went to the validation site as instructed in your link and validated my copy of windows. This was ok ( the chassis stickker is still in place ). I bought this PC with windows already installed but also had a CD with it. I keep various important CD's such as that at my Fathers house and so had to telephone hime to answer the questions that Windows were asking. Everything checked out OK.
Here is the Hijackthis.log after I have done all this.

You will receive a prompt asking if you want to remove the files, click YES

Once you click yes, your desktop will go blank as it starts removing Vundo.

When completed, it will prompt that it will reboot your computer, click OK.

Please post the contents of C:\vundofix.txt and a new HiJackThis log in a reply to this thread.

Note: It is possible that VundoFix encountered a file it could not remove. In this case, VundoFix will run on reboot, simply follow the above instructions starting from "Click the Scan for Vundo button" when VundoFix appears upon rebooting.

Please print out or copy these instructions/tutorial to Notepad as the internet will not be (while in Safe Mode) available to you at certain points of the removal process. Make sure to work through all the Steps in the exact order in which they are listed below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before moving on with the fixes.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido.AVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.Download the Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.______________________________

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.

Navigate to C:\Windows\TempClick Edit, click Select All, press the DELETE key, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to send all the items to the Recycle Bin.

Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\(EVERY LISTED USER)\Local Settings\TempClick Edit, click Select All, press the DELETE key, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to send all the items to the Recycle Bin.

Clean out your Temporary Internet files. Proceed like this:

Quit Internet Explorer, all browsers and quit any instances of Windows Explorer.

For Internet Explorer 7

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.

On the General tab, click Delete... under Browsing History.

Next to Temporary Internet Files, click Delete files, and then click OK.

Next to Cookies, click Delete cookies, and then click OK.

Next to History, click Delete history, and then click OK.

Click the Close button.

Click OK.

For Internet Explorer 4.x - 6.x

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.

On the General tab, click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.

In the Delete Files dialog box, tick the Delete all offline content check box, and then click OK.

On the General tab, click Delete Cookies under Temporary Internet Files, and then click OK.

Click on the Programs tab then click the Reset Web Settings button. Click Apply then OK.

Click OK.

For Netscape 4.x and Up

Click Edit from the Netscape menubar.

Click Preferences... from the Edit menu.

Expand the Advanced menu by clicking the triangle sign.

Click Cache.

Click both the Clear Memory Cache and the Clear Disk Cache buttons.

For Mozilla 1.x and Up

Click Edit from the Mozilla menubar.

Click Preferences... from the Edit menu.

Expand the Advanced menu by clicking the plus sign.

Click Cache.

Click the Clear Cache button.

For Opera

Click File from the Opera menubar.

Click Preferences... from the File menu.

Click the History and Cache menu.

Click the two Clear buttons next to Typed in addresses and Visited addresses (history) and click the Empty now button to clear the Disk cache.

Click Ok to close the Preferences menu.

Next Click Start, click Control Panel and then double-click Display. Click on the Desktop tab, then click the Customize Desktop button. Click on the Web tab. Under Web Pages you should see a checked entry called Security info or something similar. If it is there, select that entry and click the Delete button. Click Ok then Apply and Ok.

Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop, and then clicking Empty Recycle Bin.______________________________

Close ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders. Please start AVG Anti-Spyware and run a full scan.

Click on Scanner on the toolbar.

Click on the Settings tab.

Under How to act?

Click on Recommended Action and choose Quarantine from the popup menu.

Under How to scan?

All checkboxes should be ticked.

Under Possibly unwanted software:

All checkboxes should be ticked.

Under Reports:

Select Automatically generate report after every scan and uncheck Only if threats were found.

Under What to scan?

Select Scan every file.

Click on the Scan tab.

Click on Complete System Scan to start the scan process.

Let the program scan the machine.

When the scan has finished, follow the instructions below.IMPORTANT : Don't click on the "Save Scan Report" button before you did hit the "Apply all Actions" button.

Make sure that Set all elements to: shows Quarantine(1), if not click on the link and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. (2)

At the bottom of the window click on the Apply all Actions button. (3)

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